Madrid by Daumont. Optical view. 1752
Optical View (French: Vue d'optique)
An optical view is a type of 18th-century hand-coloured engraved print to be viewed through a special optical device. It depicts architectural, city, or landscape scenes and is designed to give a strong illusion of depth and perspective when seen through a magnifying lens or viewing box. Characteristic of an optical view is the reversed inscription: The titles or captions were often printed backwards, because the viewing device used a mirror that would flip the image right-side up again. The artists enhanced depth with bold converging lines and bright colours. The optical views were used for popular entertainment and education, a way for people to "travel" visually. They originated in France and England around the 1740s and became fashionable across Europe. They were often sold by travelling print sellers or displayed in fairs and parlours.
A General View of the city of Madrid the Capital of the Kingdom of Spain. / Vue Général de Madrid ville Capitale du Royaume d'Espagne.
Item Number: 32541 new Authenticity Guarantee
Category: Antique maps > Europe > Spain and Portugal
Optical view of Madrid by Daumont.
Title: A General View of the city of Madrid the Capital of the Kingdom of Spain. / Vue Général de Madrid ville Capitale du Royaume d'Espagne.
Publish'd according to Act of Parliament April 1752
A Paris chez J. Chereau rue St. Jacques audessus de la Fontaine St Severin aux 2 Colonnes. N° 257
Printed for & sold by Hen Overton at the White Horse without Hengate
Rob Sayer at the Golden Buck opposite Fetter lane Fleet Street
Date: 1752.
Date on map: 1752.
Copper engraving, printed on paper.
Image size: 225 x 385mm (8¾ x 15¼ inches).
Sheet size: 280 x 420mm (11 x 16½ inches).
Verso: Blank.
Condition: Original coloured, excellent.
Condition Rating: A+.
Separate publication.
Optical View (French: Vue d'optique)
An optical view is a type of 18th-century hand-coloured engraved print to be viewed through a special optical device. It depicts architectural, city, or landscape scenes and is designed to give a strong illusion of depth and perspective when seen through a magnifying lens or viewing box. Characteristic of an optical view is the reversed inscription: The titles or captions were often printed backwards, because the viewing device used a mirror that would flip the image right-side up again. The artists enhanced depth with bold converging lines and bright colours. The optical views were used for popular entertainment and education, a way for people to "travel" visually. They originated in France and England around the 1740s and became fashionable across Europe. They were often sold by travelling print sellers or displayed in fairs and parlours.
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